Funds a study to conduct a structural analysis of each hospital and nursing home facility to determine their ability to withstand hurricanes. Makes appropriation.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

SECTION 1. The devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina revealed severe shortcomings of the health care system serving the residents of the Gulf Coast. Other regions of the country have been induced to assess the ability of their health care systems to withstand natural disasters.

The Office of Domestic Preparedness of the Office of Homeland Security issued a directive to each state requiring them to assess their ability to evacuate and shelter residents in the event of a disaster. Of particular concern were the special populations served by hospitals and long term care facilities.

Hawaii sent a disaster relief team to Louisiana that included members of various health care organizations. They had first-hand knowledge of Katrina’s destructive force and its effect on health care.

From Katrina it became apparent that smaller residential health care facilities on the Gulf Coast, such as nursing homes, were not constructed to withstand strong winds. Hawaii is in a similar situation. Recent discussions with nursing home executives revealed that they were uncertain whether their facilities could resist the effects of a hurricane. Most felt they would be compelled to evacuate their residents because of this uncertainty. However, the capacity of shelters that are specially designed for nursing home residents is insufficient.

State officials are currently working to establish special needs shelters and to improve evacuation procedures. However, these officials concede that the number of actual and potential shelters are inadequate to house and protect the large numbers of potential evacuees.

The evacuation of nursing home residents should be considered only after all other options have been considered. Allowing nursing homes to "shelter in place" their residents and staff is often the safest and most practical solution. However, this option requires confidence in the structural integrity of a nursing home.

Hospitals are typically more prepared to address disasters in general than nursing homes. For example, hospitals have comprehensive plans that will be implemented in the event of a pandemic or terrorist attack. However, the Katrina experience underscores the need to assess hospital facilities as well to determine their ability to withstand hurricanes.

The purpose of this Act is to fund a study to conduct a structural analysis of each hospital and nursing home facility in Hawaii. The analysis shall be conducted by one or more registered professional engineers qualified to conduct structural analysis and knowledgeable in the effects of hurricanes. The analysis shall include rating each facility based on its ability to survive the likely effects of hurricanes in categories I, II, III, IV, and V.

Information derived from the analysis shall be provided to facility owners and operators and used to support risk-based disaster plans. The information shall also be provided to local and state civil defense officials and used to support evacuation decisions. Aggregate data shall be provided to the Legislature.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $250,000, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2006-2007, for a study to assess the structural integrity of all hospitals and nursing homes in Hawaii.

SECTION 3. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the

department of health for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2006.